A Dream Retrieval Ritual

Max/MSP was used to create a number of audio utilities for generation and manipulation of audio material in A Dream Retrieval Ritual.

Larger Max-generated programs Morphophone and Postmaster were utilized for granular manipulation and generation of audio textures used throughout the audio component of the piece. Oceans of paper, clouds of bass clarinet key clicks, and streams of slowly evolving vocal clusters envelop the listener in a deeply immersive surround sound field. A specialized vocoder was used to apply the spectral characteristics of the narrator's voice (and manipulated versions of her voice) to the otherwise harsh and grating textures generated from said programs.

Max was also used to create a scheme of algorithmic surround-sound panning of stereo and mono source files, taking much of the work out of the process of automating panning during the mixing process.

And finally, Max is used as the primary playback interface for the audio and video components of the piece via a computer and audio interface embedded in a found-object sculpture comprised of a mannequin, a discarded chest of drawers, and other discarded objects. The audience interacts with the higher level "menu" screen via color-coded USB numeric keypad. Through the right combination of answers to predicaments posed by the "menu" screen, the audience may unlock the full film and audio experience that is A Dream Retrieval Ritual proper.